Description
This easy ground beef skillet is a simple, flavorful one-pan dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Tender seasoned ground beef combines with colorful bell peppers, onions, and a savory tomato-based sauce for a versatile meal the whole family will love. Serve it over rice, in tacos, with pasta, or enjoy it on its own!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (if needed)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the skillet: Place a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and let it preheat for 2 minutes.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet, breaking it into chunks. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop a brown crust, then stir and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. If there’s excessive grease (more than ¼ cup), drain it, leaving about 2-3 tablespoons in the pan.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add seasonings: Sprinkle in the paprika, cumin, chili powder, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to coat the meat and vegetables with the spices, cooking for 1 minute.
- Create the sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce. Stir everything together.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the skillet and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic.
- Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired, and serve hot over rice, pasta, or your favorite base.
Notes
- Ground beef fat content: 80/20 is ideal for flavor and moisture. If using leaner beef (90/10 or 93/7), add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent dryness.
- Make it spicier: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce.
- Vegetable variations: Feel free to add mushrooms, zucchini, corn, or carrots based on what you have on hand.
- Make ahead: This dish stores well in the refrigerator for 4-5 days and freezes for up to 3 months.
- Leftovers: Use as taco filling, stuff into peppers, top nachos, or mix into scrambled eggs for breakfast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Skillet/Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 ⅓ cups
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: ground beef skillet, easy ground beef recipe, one pan ground beef, 30 minute dinner, ground beef and peppers, weeknight dinner recipe, budget friendly dinner